Written By: Madison Filson
July 2026
As July unfolded, Windy Hill’s Resident Services team continued its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities that foster social connection, wellness, and community engagement among residents. This month’s programming brought residents together through two community-wide summer picnics that celebrated fellowship, fun, and the opportunity to strengthen relationships with neighbors, volunteers, community partners, and staff. Held at two convenient locations, the events created welcoming spaces where residents of all ages could enjoy delicious food, family-friendly activities, and meaningful connections.
Residents from our Fauquier communities gathered at the pavilion at Northern Fauquier Community Park in Marshall, Virginia, while residents from our Loudoun communities celebrated together at Levis Hill House. Both picnics welcomed Windy Hill Foundation volunteers, community partners, and members of our Foundation’s Board, creating a wonderful opportunity for everyone to spend quality time together outside of regular programming. Throughout the afternoon, residents enjoyed lawn games including cornhole, bubbles and games for children, a temporary tattoo station, refreshing lemonade and assorted beverages, and a resident raffle where participants had the opportunity to win prizes ranging from gift cards and toys to fun seasonal items. The events created a vibrant atmosphere where neighbors connected, children played together, and residents had the chance to meet others within the Windy Hill community whom they had not previously met.
A highlight of both picnics was the delicious meal prepared by SDS Soul Food, a Winchester, Virginia based food vendor. Residents enjoyed a classic summer picnic menu featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, fried fish, and fried chicken, accompanied by comforting side dishes including macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and baked beans. To complete the meal, SDS Soul Food partnered with Dippin’ Dots to provide a refreshing dessert that quickly became a favorite among both children and adults. The shared meal offered residents the opportunity to gather around the table, enjoy conversation, and celebrate the sense of community that makes Windy Hill such a special place. Longtime resident Witchell Ward shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “It was very nice to see the community come together.” Reflecting on his favorite part of the meal, Witchell added, “The fish and chicken were so good!” His comments perfectly capture the shared enjoyment experienced throughout both picnics.
Together, our community picnics highlight Windy Hill’s continued dedication to enhancing residents’ quality of life by creating opportunities for meaningful connection and community engagement. By bringing residents, volunteers, community partners, and Board members together in a relaxed and welcoming environment, Resident Services continues to foster relationships that strengthen the community while creating lasting memories for residents of all ages. Both events served as wonderful reminders that spending time together, sharing a meal, and building new friendships are at the heart of a thriving community.
A special thank you to Northern Fauquier Community Park for their support and for providing such a wonderful location for the event. Their beautiful park pavilion helped create a welcoming space for the community to come together. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and Board members who joined us and helped make the event such a meaningful community gathering.
